There is a Home Depot bucket in the center of our lawn containing a just-now-flowering tulip magnolia tree. I guess it’s not exactly on the lawn–it’s in the dirt section we cleared to landscape and hopefully plant that tree in… two years ago. It’s a really beautiful tree that honestly should be in the ground, but it seems to be doing well for now. The irony is that bright orange beacon of a bucket. I love how something so coarse—something so unexpected and almost foolish—could so effectively house something so lovely.
The month of March has been one giant mix of that same bloom of hope inside a Home Depot bucket. I wish I could say more about it, but for now I’ll just say that I applied for something at the beginning of the month, went through the process of hoping, then doubting-myself enough to throw the proverbial crumpled paper in the trash, subsequently removing said crumpled paper, and being more than pleasantly surprised at the result. I have things to look forward to for the following year. God has resurrected dreams and been faithful to bring them to fruition, and I am so thankful for his faithfulness.
On another note, friends has been a theme this month. The day of Saint Patrick’s Day I arrived home right after work, which, considering the fact that I am NEVER home before 10:30pm, was already cause for concern.
The day before I realized that I had been so excited for my Spring Break plans that I skipped not one, but two weeks of planning in my scheduled lessons:
Anyway, my brain was a fried egg. When I got home, a box from my dear college friend, Erika, was waiting for me. Inside was the most thoughtful collection of gifts and trinkets: face mask and scrub for relaxation; tea, hot chocolate and apple cider to drink while I relax; Ghiradelli squares for that chocolate fix; play dough for stress-relief (I’ve used that a ton this week); glow sticks for funzies, and two shamrock necklaces for St. Patty’s. It was the most thoughtful and timely thing. In her note, she mentioned how I had looked tired on our Zoom call a week before and even if she couldn’t directly help lighten the load, at least she could lighten my spirits. What an amazing friend.
The box was timely in other ways, too. Days later I received a series of sobering letters from an old friend. I’ll spare the details, but it was a less-than-joyful subject. I questioned my ability to call myself a good friend and fell into a slump, but the somber feeling lasted only for a day because God blessed me one more time with a surprise AM visit from my best friend. We drank tea and gloried in God’s faithfulness to both of us. We only had two hours, but those two hours were desperately needed. I’m still in awe of this ten year friendship that has, by the grace of God, survived military-induced communication barriers and lots of long-distance. I love you, Toler!!
Speaking of friends, my other best friend and I celebrated nine months together last week! We sat on the phone last night reviewing the photos we’ve sent each other over the course of our relationship. It was sweet to see us progress from the tentative, safe realm of food photos to weirder memes as we got more comfortable. Hilarity ensued. Here are some of the greats:
The last one is one of the reasons we’re dating. When the head of our church’s pantry asked if I wanted a partner to help me pick up the bread we’d distribute, I knew it was my in for asking Calvin to hang out. Later on she clarified that I didn’t actually need help. I didn’t tell him that until later. The rest is history. 😉
Speaking of God’s faithfulness, this sweet man brought me a surprise latte in between my parent teacher conferences Wednesday. I didn’t realize how stressed I had been until I was able to hold my coffee and be held for a minute. About a year ago I went through the most painful breakup of my life, and I’ve never been more grateful for anything because it meant finding someone who gets me and makes me laugh and encourages me to look to Jesus in everything. I love him so much. He works hard at school and digs trenches for work like a character in Les Miserables without complaining. He brings me lattes at work and I love listening to him play guitar and crush it at his CrossFit competitions.
He is the unexpected flowers in the Home Depot bucket and I am in awe of a God who would bless me so richly.
Kayley Chartier 